London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025

New CBI boss 'profoundly sorry' to women let down by business group

New CBI boss 'profoundly sorry' to women let down by business group

Rain Newton-Smith has taken over from Tony Danker as the lobby group faces a number of problems.
The new boss of the CBI says she is "profoundly sorry" to women who have been let down by the business lobby group.

Rain Newton-Smith took over as director general on Wednesday after scores of high-profile companies announced they were suspending or ending their membership of the 58-year-old organisation following allegations of sexual misconduct and rape by some members of staff.

Addressing women who felt their claims of sexual harassment were not taken seriously by the organisation, she said she wanted to express "how profoundly sorry I am for how our organisation let you down".

"You will have heard about the crisis that has shocked and saddened us all at the CBI," Ms Newton-Smith tweeted.

"I want to recognise the courage of the women who came forward and say how profoundly sorry I am for how our organisation let you down.

"I hope to reward your bravery by finding a better path forward."

Ms Newton-Smith was the CBI's chief economist for almost nine years before joining Barclays as managing director for strategy and police, sustainability and ESG.

She was in that job for just a month before being chosen to help the CBI overcome its recent scandals.

The organisation's fall from grace began in early March when The Guardian published accusations of misconduct against then director general Tony Danker.

A month later, it reported claims from more than a dozen women who worked for the organisation saying they had been sexually harassed by colleagues, with one saying she had been raped.

An inquiry by external lawyers has been under way, but the government has also wound down its engagement and many businesses have suspended or terminated their membership.

The allegations surrounding Mr Danker were separate from those including the rape claim, but he said he had been made into the "fall guy" and his reputation had been "totally trashed".

Last Friday, The Guardian published a second allegation of rape and a new allegation of stalking against CBI staff.

The resulting flood of businesses leaving the organisation prompted it to suspend all policy and membership activities.

Ms Newton-Smith said on Wednesday: "We know there is so much to do to win back the trust of our members, our colleagues and wider society.

"But I believe in the work of the CBI and our people, and I am determined to rebuild and reimagine our organisation to regain that trust."
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×